Principal's Message

Celebrating Matariki: A Time for Reflection, Connection, and New Beginnings

As the cold winter winds settle in, a very special cluster of stars rises in our early morning sky, marking the arrival of Matariki—the Māori New Year. For generations, this celestial event has held a profound place in Aotearoa, signalling the close of one cycle and the promising dawn of another.

Historically, Matariki was deeply tied to the land and the seasons. In traditional times, it marked the end of the autumn harvest. The pātaka (food storehouses) were brimming with kumara, preserved birds, and fish. With the hard work of gathering food completed, the community could finally slow down. The appearance of the stars was used by tohunga (experts) to predict the success of the upcoming season's crops; bright, clear stars foretold a warm, bountiful harvest ahead.

But Matariki is much more than just a change in the season. It is anchored by three main themes:

• Remembrance: It is a sacred time to look back and honor those who have passed away since the last rising of the stars. We carry their memory into the future.

• Celebrating the Present: A time to gather, share food, and give thanks for the blessings of the past year.

• Looking Forward: A moment to set new goals, plan for the future, and look ahead with hope and aspiration.

Today, Matariki has grown into a beautiful, nationwide celebration that unites all of Aotearoa. It is a time for us to pause our busy modern lives, reconnect with indigenous wisdom, and appreciate the unique environment we call home. Schools, workplaces, and communities come together to share kai (food), tell stories, and fly kites.

What does Matariki mean to me? Above all, it is a reminder of the importance of whānau (family). In our fast-paced world, it's easy to get caught up in daily routines. To me, Matariki is the perfect excuse to switch off the screens, gather around a warm meal, and spend quality time with the people who matter most. It’s about sharing laughs with grandparents, making plans with siblings, and feeling grounded in love. Tomorrow evening at our kura (school), we will be celebrating Matariki (see details below) in a way that truly reflects the spirit of whānau. It is a wonderful opportunity for families to come together, connect, and participate in a variety of fun, hands-on crafts and creativity."

As we look up at the night sky this season, let’s all take a moment to remember where we’ve come from, appreciate where we are, and dream about where we are going.

Have a fabulous holiday break with your tamariki, and a blessed Matariki.

Mānawatia a Matariki! (Celebrate Matariki!)

Ngā mihi nui,

Nikolai Solia

Principal

Sports

Regional Cross Country 

Huge congraulations to Raffie who put in a fantastic performance, staying focused and finding his rhythm as the race unfolded. His determination and perseverance saw him steadily move through the field to finish an impressive 20th overall.

It was a performance to be proud of and a great reflection of the hard work he has put in. This result will no doubt inspire him to keep training and come back even stronger next year. Well done, Raffie!

Garden to table

Pumpkin Soup for Matariki 

Today, our students rolled up their sleeves and helped make delicious pumpkin soup for our Matariki celebration!

A huge thank you to Richard from Island Bay New World for generously donating all of the ingredients. We are so grateful for your support of our school community.

Special thanks also to our wonderful volunteers, Annette and Ann, for giving their time to help prepare the soup, and to our amazing students who did a fantastic job with all the chopping and preparation.

The soup is absolutely delicious and made with:

• Pumpkin

• Onion

• Curry Powder

• Vegetable Stock

• Water

Please make sure you have a cup at the Matariki celebration on Thursday!!

Thank you to everyone who helped make this special Matariki activity such a success!

School Notices and Events

Term 3 Art Project!

Next term we will be hosting the SFDS “A World of Wonder” Wearable Art Show!

During Term 2, your child has been planning and designing their wearable art outfit. They will be bringing their design home to share with you over the holidays.

Please note that all outfits will be constructed and sewn at school during Term 3 as part of our classroom programme. We are not expecting families to make the outfits at home.

Your role is to sit down with your child to:

• Review their design – They will be bringing their planning sheet home this week to show you the outfit they will be creating in class next term.

• Help gather materials – If your child requires any specific materials or resources for their design, and you are happy to provide them, please send them to school at the start of Term 3. We have received a generous amount of donations that students will be able to use.

This is a wonderful opportunity for creativity, problem-solving, and artistic expression. We look forward to your support in making this a memorable experience for your child/ren

Keep an eye out for further information about tickets and event details coming soon.

Dates to Add to Your Diary

Our  SFDS Events Calendar is the best way to stay up to date with everything happening at school — including PE days, special events, and other important dates. You can find the calendar by clicking on the link above or either on our school website or through Hero.